Govt mulls community service, skills training for juvenile

Seeking to ensure that juvenile offenders grow up to become better citizens, the government has decided to involve them in community service and impart skills-based training to them.

Through the initiative under the Juvenile Justice Act, the Women and Child Development Ministry aims to bring comprehensive reform in the framework for providing better care and protection to children in conflict with the law.

The plan was mooted amid reports of radicalisation of the juvenile convict in the December 16 gangrape case.

"They (juvenile offenders) will be encouraged to do some kind of community service. It is already provided as one of the options under the Juvenile Justice Act. This can be done by placing them in some public institution. They will be also given some kind of employable training.

"We want to strengthen the juvenile homes so that when they come out, they are better citizens," a senior ministry official said.

Noting that most children in conflict with law are caught in such situations as they do not have awareness, the official said getting them to participate in community service might help in their reform.

The JJ Act was amended in December to allow juveniles of 16 years and older in conflict with law to be tried as adults in cases of heinous crimes.

The law mandates establishment of child care institutes in every district for those who are either in need of care and protection or in conflict with law.